Sickness and Frustration Went on a Date Until.......

 I've been sick for over a week now and it hasn't been pretty. This "thing" has literally traveled throughout my body giving personal assignments to various organs and orifices to increase my discomfort. To add insult to injury, the mysterious creeping crud which originated from the lovely little ones at school, has spread to EVERY person in my household.                                                                                                                                                       Needless to say, last week won't go down in the records books as "the best week ever".  My focus has been off, my patience short and my smile quick to fade. Truth be told, I can't blame it all on being sick. I have a more challenging breed of students than I've had in the past few years and what's worked before just isn't cutting it. I've tried to be optimistic and positive, but that doesn't last long. 

In reality, however, optimism won't last long. A person's hope (especially one who claims to follow the Lord) can't be placed on a self developed mantra of, "It will be alright".  Unfortunately, that's what I was trying since I know frustration and feeling cruddy don't go hand in hand.  Well, at least that's what I thought! My "sickness" asked my "frustration" out on a date. They partied like it was 1999 for several days... until I read Psalm 73:16 and 17 HCSB. 

"When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God's sanctuary." 

These were the words of a Levite, a man of God who knew God's word, lived God's word, but was dismayed at the unfairness of things around him.  He spoke candidly, yet respectfully to God as He wondered why he was getting the short end of the stick.  The truth of the matter was revealed to him when he entered into the house of the Lord.  Now, I'm not saying that everything will be alright if you just go to church.  What I am saying is that this Levite went into the house of the Lord and was reminded of the holiness of God by what he saw.  He was reminded of the faithfulness of God by what he read. He was reminded of the goodness of God by remembering what he had been taught. He purposely sought the comfort and counsel of the Lord. Verse twenty three and twenty five go on to say:

"Yet I am always with You: You hold my right hand.  You guide me with Your counsel, 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever."

At every turn in your life, whether it be a turn for the better or worse, your hope has to be built, as the hymn writer said, "on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." In sickness or in health, go into the presence of the Lord to find your answers.  The world and it's fifteen thousand posts on Facebook will tell you that your answer lies deep within you, but, that's a lie.  The WORD of GOD teaches us to:

  not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].    Romans 12:2 AMP

Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life.  He is the source of all that you and I will ever need.  His Holy Spirit in us will lead and guide us in all truth. While I truly thank God for TheraFlu, I know without a shadow of a doubt that it is Jesus who heals and gives me power to make every thought subject to Him.  I have to intentionally give my mind to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and pray for the transformation of my thinking and vision to see my health through His eyes (healed!) and my students through His eyes Isaiah 54:13 (attentive, engaged and knowledgeable).   

So to you, dear educator, as you welcome this new work week, remember to always consult God for every concern and give Him glory for every victory and join me in beginning each day as Psalm 73 ends, "But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord my refuge and place my trust in HIM, that I may tell of all His works."

May the Lord keep you and protect you this work week.


The Lord is with you and you are loved,


Toni

Images retrieved from: http://lolsnaps.com/funny/37340

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/236368680416388617/

http://www.viewpoints.com/TheraFlu-Flu-Chest-Congestion-Powder-reviews

http://www.destiny.co.za/sermons/jesus-our-healer/

Video retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rOvz6lyhPQ

The Holy Alphabet Poem

Just thought I'd share this with you!   Have a great one!

     The Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving

Do not begin to blame

Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold on to what you know

Imagine life without His love

Joy would cease to be

Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts

No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power

Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

Start every day with worship

To "thank" is a command

Until we see Him coming

Victorious in the sky

We'll run the race with gratitude

Xalting God most high

Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Zion waits in glory... where none are ever sad!

                                      

   -Author Unknown

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

His Touch Makes It All Possible

When I asked the Lord what I should write about for this week's Moment to Reflect, He brought back to mind our wonderful church service this past Sunday.  As the men's choir sang "Just a Touch From You", our pastor prayed specifically over each and every one of us.  The presence of the Lord was evident as wave after wave of praise swept over our congregation.  Afterwards, we were all charged with taking that special touch from God and sharing it with others. 

So here I am ready to share a message about His touch with you. However, when Iiiiii thought about God's touch, my mind went here...

and here....

Then, unfortunately, it went here...

 and even worse, here...

So I tried to get spiritual and ended up here...

Praise God!  This is where I need to be.

Matthew 9: 21 gives us one biblical account of the woman with the issue of blood seeking healing from Jesus. As the news reached her that the famed miracle worker named Jesus was nearby, desparation set in. She never thought HE would actually touch HER because in her unclean state, she was supposed to stay away from public places. However, she took a chance and placed her faith in receiving healing from the edge of His prayer cloth.  

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole...

What's so fascinating about this chapter is that this woman of faith was not the only recipient of Jesus' wide range of healing.

1)   Friends lowered a man with palsy in front of Jesus - walking was restored

2)   Matthew the tax collector was called - relationship with God was restored

3)   Jairus' beseeched Jesus for his dying daughter - life was restored

4)   Two blind men followed Him and cried out - sight was restored and

5)    a demon-possessed mute was brought to Him for deliverance - speech and right thinking was restored. 

All seemingly hopeless situations that caused grief, separation, confusion, financial drawbacks and frustration....

Sometimes the beginning of the school year can start in a way that leaves you shaking your head wondering how you're ever going to get through the next nine months with all of your hair and perfect blood pressure.  Just know that it is possible. There is nothing too hard for God. We serve a mighty God who is not only capable of taking care of you, but wants to do so.  Psalm 138:8 says that “God will perfect that which concerns me”.  Seek Jesus as did the people in Matthew 9

1) Lower yourself before Jesus 

2)Expect Him on your job

3)Let other's call on Him for with you

4)Reach out for Him believing that you will receive

5) Call out to Him believing that you will receive

6) Be transformed by the renewing of your mind… Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will

As you transform, pass on those blessings to your students and coworkers. As He touches you, reach out and touch someone else.  Become a testimony of God’s faithfulness to those who are called by His name. Remember, He may be using you to win over an unbeliever…

Have a great work week!

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Images retrieved from:
http://www.45cat.com/record/m1165
http://spoiledexpat.com/page/2/
http://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/20-most-suggestive-brand-slogans/
http://www.businessinsider.com/name-that-slogan-2011-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9J7jp30OlI
http://www.florasbookstore.com/Miscellaneous/Fridge-Magnets/With-God-All-Things-Are-Possible.html

Back to School Encouragment: A Blessing For the School Year

A Blessing for the School Year

May the Lord bless you and protect you;

May the Lord make His face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

May the Lord look with favor on you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26

Nothing can be more truthful, sure, encouraging or strengthening than the Word of God. This blessing found in the book of Numbers was to be recited over God’s chosen people, the Children of Israel. These words continually pointed to the Lord as the source of everything they would need. Under this blessing and in the obedience of His Word, they would find true prosperity.

Although this was written for the Children of Israel thousands of years ago, through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, we are also able to benefit in five ways from this blessing as well. Let me show you.

May the Lord bless us…

William E. Brown defined blessing as the “endowed power for prosperity and success”. We find comfort in this promise from Jesus when he said, “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The apostles Paul and Peter remind of us this in 2 Timothy 1:7 and 2Peter 1:3.

…and protect us;

Who wrote more about the protection of the Lord than King David? Psalm after psalm describes God's ability and willingness to protect those He loves. David paints a vivid picture of the protection of God in Psalm 18. We know that “no weapon formed against us shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17) and that God “will never leave us nor forsake us.” Hebrews 13:5. We can find rest in these verses in the midst of school shootings and civil unrest.

…May the Lord make His face shine on us and be gracious to us;

This means that God looks on us and is pleased by what He sees and consequently blesses us because of this. However, that is only possible through the grace afforded us by the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary and His ascension to heaven where He is interceding with God on our behalf every day. We are encouraged in this fact by knowing that God is able to make all grace abound towards us so that in all things at all times having all that we need, we will abound in every good work.2Corinthians 9: 8

…May the Lord look with favor on us

Again, words are spoken over His chosen ones to receive His goodness. God’s favor is blessings which set us apart, we who have obtained His inheritance, the adoption into His family. As recipients of His favor, we who take delight in the Lord, receive the desires of our heart. Psalm 37:4. His favor will cause you to prosper in situations where others fail.

…and give us peace.

Our God of hope fills us with all joy and peace. It is a peace that passes all understanding. God’s peace keeps us as we believe and trust Him with every aspect of our lives. God’s peace will rule our hearts and minds and help us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

May you be blessed this school year knowing that God is on your side. Take comfort in this living, breathing and active blessing and receive it for your school year.

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

 

Back to School Tip: The Most Important Thing

One day I will actually enjoy the Labor Day weekend. However, as long as I continue to be a classroom teacher and mother of three girls (I’m blessed to have a senior, seventh and fifth grader), the Labor Day weekend will be full of labor. Since my household is a two educator paycheck household, I can’t just send my three princesses off to the salon or qualify for free back to school items. So I spent the greater part of the weekend doing this:

 
And dummy me, waited until the last minute to do this:

So now, I feel like this:

 Not to worry, I look forward to these stretched out moments. My family feels sorry for me most in the midst of these ice cream cone reviving fainting spells.  Unfortunately, there isn’t anyone awake right now to bring me an ice cream cone. Not that I need one at 8:30 am…. it is dairy though…right?

I’ve decided to go for something better. I’d like to suggest this to you as well for times when you may feel overwhelmed. It’s free, refreshing, better than ice cream and life altering. It’s time alone with God. Trust me. You do have time in your day for God. He’s the maker of time and I’m sure, if you ask, He’ll show you where you and He can indulge in some one on one.

Psalm 32:8 NIV gives us words from the Lord. He says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” The bible also tells us in James 4: 8, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” These verses only skim the tip of the ice berg when it comes to revealing God’s desire to be Lord of your life.

Whether the school year looks daunting or very promising, you will need the blessing, protection, grace, favor and peace of God the Father through the power and authority of our Savior, Jesus the Christ and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit to make it to the end. You were not designed to go through life without God, nor will you be successful at it. The same applies to the everyday workings of your God given assignment to be an educator. Only through Jesus, will you be able to be transformed (Romans 12:2) and aid your students in becoming the same way. That, my friend, will be the evidence of having a good school year.

Partake of the fullness of being His child and disciple. Immerse yourself daily in His love. There you find rest for your soul and strength for your journey.

Have a blessed school year.

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Images retrieved from:

http://indulgy.com/do/from/88037406696

http://fullservicehairsalon.net/?page_id=22#go_page_now

http://www.gpb.org/blogs/georgia-works/2014/04/14/sales-tax-free-holidays-continue

http://www.hcanarrowway.com/2014/07/you-are-blessed-thursday-thought.html

I'd Rather Stay!!!

Well!  I tried. As some of you know, I have a new website: www.educatordominion.com.  I love the site and I love being able to collect resources for God's people who are in the field of education.  
However, I am not a fan of change and although I "LI$T my blog site two weeks ago, I'm coming back to stay because I LOVE this place! 
This blog has several links to the webpage, so please explore and share with a friend.  

Happy reading! 

P.S. You might notice that alot of the older blog posts are gone. :-(  I haven't deleted them for good.  I'm just compliling them together into an easier to read format.

Where Your Strength Lies

.

With just a few days into the new school year for some and less than a month away for others, educators near and far have rolled up their sleeves and set out to prepare and download great knowledge into the minds of children of all ages.

How many of us know no matter how diligently we work, if we don’t put God first in all that we do for our students, it will only have a here and now impact instead of an eternal, lasting effect?

When you have a moment, read about the disciple Peter’s life altering encounter with Jesus in the book of John, chapter twenty-one. Peter’s encounter reflects so many of us that we have to peer into the pages for just a few moments.

 Like Peter, we've recently concluded a season of ministry with our Savior and are now looking at something new. Last school year may have been filled with ups and downs, questions and answers, highs and lows and times when you knew Jesus was right beside you and others when you felt lost without Him. Peter and the other disciples had just come through much of the same and now, in chapter twenty-one, Peter decides to go back to what he's comfortable with...fishing.

 The story goes to explain that while in the boat, catching nothing, Peter, and six other disciples realize that Jesus is on the beach. In his gusto for the Lord, Peter puts on his outer garments, jumps in the water and swims ashore. His buddies are left to attempt to haul in a miraculous catch of one hundred and fifty-three fish, but they are unable to because of its great magnitude. Jesus, who has already prepared fish and bread to eat, directs the disciples to bring the fish that they caught to him. Peter gets back in the boat, now closer to the shore and drags the full net ashore.

Did you get that?! This guy drags a net full of fish that six other men couldn't pull into a boat! Where did that strength come from and can I get some please?

According to the bible, I’m not the only one who wants some. Paul asks for it in Philippians 3: 8-10 when he declares that nothing can compare to the “surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus”. He goes on to say that he wants to “know Jesus” and the “power of His resurrection” and the “fellowship of His sufferings”.

Well in order to get the strength to successfully make it through this school year, I encourage you to take after Peter and wrap yourself in an outer garment of praise and jump in feet first for Jesus!

As Paul desired, seek to “know” Jesus. Start your day, go throughout your day and end your day speaking to Him. Develop a relationship with the Father. His presence is important. Listen to the words of the Holy Spirit guiding you as you educate young minds. Then like Peter, He will endow you with great strength to do what others who place their job before their God cannot do. You will be able to declare that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens you”. You will educate with power because you realize and allow God to activate the Kingdom of God already dwelling within you.

 Lastly, in chapter twenty-one of John, Jesus gives Peter a specific assignment. He reinstates Peter to do great things for Him; a partnership is developed. No matter what happened last year, this is a new year in Jesus. Maintain a “fellowship” with the Master teacher because He has a specific assignment just for you. Each student, each person on your grade level or department is there just for you and you for them. Opportunities for growth are endless. Jump in and take them! 

 Seek His presence. Wrap yourself in His praise. Be endowed with His power and develop a partnership with Him.

Have a great school year!

  

This post was originally shared in September of 2015.  With a few sentence changes from the original post, it's still applicable today!  

We've Moved!

Greetings!

 Our "A Moment To Reflect" blogs are now posted on my new website!!! There you will find encouragements, prayers, and resources for the Christian educator. Please be patient with me while I unpack older posts from this blog to the blog page on my new website. :-)


 I hope you enjoy and please share with a coworker.

Click here to visit.